Method of producing a reed valve block



I I Z J 6 7 RAYMQND L. ELLINGSEN I MJM/LJ Nov. 24, 1970 i ELLINGSEN 3,541,657

METHOD OF PRODUCING A REED VALVE BLOCK Filed July 5, 1968 Z WA uI-V, J 4. :F' 5.

INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofice Patented Nov. 24, 1970 3 541 657 METHOD OF PRODUCING A REED VALVE BLOCK Raymond L. Ellingsen, Oshkosh, Wis., assignor to Brunswick Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 3, 1968, Ser. No. 742,430 Int. Cl. BZld 53/00; B21k 29/00; B23p 15/26 US. Cl. 29-157.1 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The cast reed valve block has an opening beneath the reed with the upper edge beveled or curved on a small radius to increase the efliciency. In manufacturing the block a depression is cast in the block above the beveled or curved radius and of a depth which allows for the maximum casting and machining tolerances, and the upper surface of the block is machined to receive the reed while leaving the immediate edge corner so that the full effect of the bevel or curvature may be obtained in increasing the efiiciency of the reed valve.

This invention relates to an improved reed valve block and method of producing the same.

The invention is particularly important in the construction of reed valves for engine fuel intakes and the like.

Where the blocks have been cast with through hole porting it has been customary to leave the upper edge corner either sharp or broken.

The present invention is based upon the discovery that an increase in efliciency is obtained if the upper edge corner immediately beneath the reed is curved on a small radius or beveled. In effect this construction provides an enlarged opening immediately beneath the reed and which has been found to be important in increasing the efliciency.

In the manufacture of reed blocks it is necessary to machine the upper surface for receiving the reed. When this is done with the curved or beveled edge initially at the very upper corner, the machining tolerances may result in a non-uniform diameter of opening for the reed to cover, or at least a much smaller opening than desired.

The method phase of the present invention therefore contemplates initially casting a marginal depression in the upper surface of the block generally concentric with the port and of a depth generally corresponding with the required maximum casting and machining tolerances and a diameter corresponding to the maximum diameter pro vided by the cast curvature or bevel. In this way, after the machining of the upper surface, the maximum eifect of the curved or beveled edge will be retained, and thus the maximum efliciency of the reed valve will be realized.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a circular reed valve block having a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports therethrough;

FIG. 2 is a radial section taken axially of one of the ports on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the final port construction after machining and with a reed illustrated thereon;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a prior type of construction;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the block similar to FIG. 2 showing a type of construction wherein the curved or beveled edge was cast in the block at the very upper edge of the port;

FIG. 5 is a view of the construction of FIG. 4 following machining and showing a reed applied thereto;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the block similar to FIG. 4 showing the depression cast in the block as previously referred to; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of a block having a beveled wall portion for the port.

The reed valve block 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 2 therethrough, several of which are shown with reeds 3 thereon.

According to FIG. 2 which is a section taken radially of the block 1, the port 2 has its upper edge curved or beveled to a larger dimension at the plane of the upper surface where the reed fits down upon the port, the curvature of the edge being indicated at 4. This construction provides for a more efiicient flow opening 5 immediately beneath the reed.

The enlargement of the port opening 2 by the curved or beveled upper edge is uniform, so that the opening 5 in the plane of the upper surface of the block is circular and concentric with the port 2, or of a desired shape suitable for the purpose.

Prior to the present invention the construction left the upgrgedge 6 of the port reasonably sharp as illustrated in F1 In producing the construction of the present invention it was found that much of the advantage of a properly curved upper edge was lost if the curvature or bevel was cast at the very top as illustrated in FIG. 4 because the necessary machining of the upper surface had the efl'ect of destroying the enlargement of the port opening at least in part as shown in FIG. 5, and in some instances of providing a reed opening of non-uniform diameter so that the maximum desired efliciencies did not materialize.

The method phase of the present invention therefore contemplates casting a straight sided depression 7 to a depth corresponding to the maximum casting and machining tolerances and which is circular of a size corresponding to the desired opening 5. In this way, following the machining of the upper surface of the block the construction will be as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 where there is no diminution of the size or distortion of the shape of opening 5 by reason of the machining operation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a detail of the as cast port opening in the block prior to machining. FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 6 except that in it the upper end of the port is beveled at 8 instead of being rounded as at 4.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of producing a reed valve block comprising casting a block with a port opening therethrough and having an enlarged marginal reed opening depression generally concentric with said port opening and of a depth generally corresponding to the maximum casting and machining tolerances and with a generally curved wall portion immediately beneath said depression, and machining the top surface of said block for receiving a 3 4 read to close said reed opening, said machining being to U 3,191,618 6/196 5 McKim 29 1571 X substantially the depth of said depression. 3,323,620 6/1967 Klauer et a1. 29527.6 X

References Cited JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 V. A. DIPALMA, Assistant Examiner 797,739 8/1905 Meer 137516.15 2,669,979 2/1954 Kiekhaefer 12373 U.S. Cl. X.R.

2,706,972 4/1955 Kiekhaefer 137512.1 X 29-5276 

